Extension rule



Nov. 27, 1962 H. BROCKLANDER 3,065,546

EXTENSION RULE Filed May 8, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. I zaeov H.aeaoeawoee 1 BY A frame )45 Nov. 27, 1962 H. BROCKLANDER EXTENSION RULE2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 8. 1959 III INVEN TOR.

Lseov Aleeooezn/vose Irma saws 3,065,546 EXTENSION RULE I Leroy H.Brocklander, 85 Vaughn Ave, Spotswood, N .J

Filed May 8, 1959, Ser. No. 811,892

' Claims. ((Il. 33-75) This invention relates to extension rules, andmore particularly to a combination extensible ruleand protractorespecially useful in the construction trade, for example,where it isrequired to reach relatively distant points and relatively highlocations.

A main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedcombination extensible rule and protractor which is simple inconstruction, which is foldable to a relatively compact size, and whichcan be extended to a desired length, as required. I

v A further object of the invention is to provide an improved extensibleruleand protractor which is relatively inexpensive to fabricate, whichis sturdy in construction, and which is provided with self-actuatedlocking means to secure the various elements-of the rule in extendedpositions, said locking means being automatically releasable when theelements are retracted.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentfrom the following description and claims, and from the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an improved combination extensiblerule and protractor constructed in accordance with the presentinvention, the elements of the arms'of the device being shown retractedbut the protractor arm being shown adjusted to a position at rightangles to the main calibrated bar member of the device.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the various elements of the device of FIGURE1, said elements shown in extended positions.

' FIGURE 3 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view taken on theline 33 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view taken one the line4-4 of FIGURE 2. i

7 FIGURE 5 is an enlarged transverse vertical crosssectional view takenon the line 5--5 of FIGURE 1.

-FIGURE 6 is an enlarged transverse vertical cross: sectional view takenon the line 66 of FIGURE 1.

' FIGURE 7 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view taken on theline 7-7 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing the mannerin which a trammel member is adjustably secured on the end portion ofone of the extensible elements of the main rule portion of the device ofFIGURES 1 to 7. s

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view taken on the line99 of FIGURE 8.

Referring to the drawings, the combinationextensible rule and protractoris designated generally at 11 and comprises amain elongated calibratedbar member 12 which is generally chaunel'shaped, as shown in FIGURE 5,being provided with a longitudinal central groove.

Thus, the groove 13 defines top and bottom arms '14 and 15. The top andbottom arms are formed with longitudinally extending dovetail recesses16 and 17 in which are slidably mounted the respective auxiliaryelongated calibrated nested bar members 18 to 21 and 22 to 24. As shownin FIGURE-5, the extensible elements 18, 19 and 20 are in the form ofdovetail-shaped sleeve members having horizontal top flanges, and thehorizontal top flanges of the uppermost sleeve member 20 are slidablyreceived beneath longitudinally extending horizontal, inwardly turnedflanges 25- and 26 provided on the top arm 14. Similarly, thedovetail-shaped nested sleeve elements 22 and 23 are provided withhorizontal flanges, and the horizontal flanges of the lowermost sleeve3,0 65546 Patented Nov. 217, 1962 element 23 are slidably received aboveand are retained by inwardly projecting horizontal flanges 27 and 28provided on the bottom arm 15. Nestingly engaged with the uppermostsleeve member 20' is the extensible calibrated bar member 21 which isprovided with the dovetailed rib engaging the dovetailed sleeve member20. The lowermost bar member 24 similarly has a dovetailed rib which isslidably engaged with the dovetailed sleeve member 23.

The top arm 14 is integrally formed with a bracket structure 29 whichcarries respective tubular bubble level elements 39, 31 and 32, thetubular bubble level elements 3t) and3'1 extendingtransverse to the barmember 12 and being reversed with respect to each other so that they maybe employed to determine the deviations of various surfaces from thevertical, or, in conjunction with the protractor arm of the device, todetermine the deviation of various surfaces from the horizontal. Thethird bubble level 32 extends parallel to the main cali brated barmember 12 and is employed in the conventional manner.

The extensible elements may be locked in extended positions in themanner illustrated in FIGURE 7. Thus, the extensible members are formedat their inner end portions with inwardly facing, generally triangularrecesses 33 having abutment walls 34 perpendicular to the members. Theouter end portion of the adjacent rule member is formed with anoutwardly facing longitudinal recess 35, and secured in this recess isthe shank portion 36 of a resilient hook member formed of flat barmaterial, the shank portion being secured in the recess by suitablefastening means, such as a rivet 37. A hook element extends around theend of the calibrated bar members, for example the calibrated bar member20 in FIGURE 7, and is provided with the free, reversely extending arm39 which is biased to an upwardly projecting position, as viewed inFIGURE 7, by the resiliency of the shank member 36. The arm 39 is thusreceivable in the recess 33 when the cooperating extensible element, forexample, the element 21 in FIGURE 7, is in its fully extended position.The arm 39 thus is engageable with the abutment wall 34 to limit furtherextension of the member 21 with respect to the member 20. When themember 21 is retracted, the inclined top; wall surface of the recess 33cammingly engages the arm 39 and causes said arm to extend and to bereceived in a recess 40 provided therefor in the member 20, so that thearm 39 is disposed substantially flush with the top surface of themember 20, allowing the member 21 to be retracted.

The top arm 14 is provided with a stop block 41 (FIG- URE 3) which islocated on the end portion of the bottom wall of recess 16 therein andwhich limits the inward retraction of the dovetailed sleeve member 18.

As shown in FIGURE 3, the automatically operated locking means forlimiting extension of the calibrated auxiliary bar members may compriseresilient hook members 43 which have projecting hook portions engageablein triangular recesses 44 provided in the surfaces of the adjacentmembers so that the hook elements of the resilient members 43 are biasedso as to lockingly engage with the vertical abutment wall surfaces 45 ofthe recesses 44 when the members are in their extended positions. Whenthe members are retracted, the sloping wall surfaces of the recesses 44cammingly engage with the hook elements to move said hook elementsinwardly into their receiving recesses so as to allow the rule to becontracted. As

shown in FIGURE 2, the resilient members 43 are se'- cured in recesses46 of suflicient depth to receive the hook portions of the members 43when they are cammed inwardly by the sloping wall surfaces of theassociated recesses 44.

The protractor arm 55 and its cooperating extensible element 56 maybedesigned to extend to the maximum length ofthe order of fourfeet. Thus,the device may be employed to measure from a bench mark, in which thearm A pivot lug 54 projects from the end of the bar mem ber 12,andpivotally connected thereto centrally of the track member 5% is acalibrated elongated'protractor arm 55, in the form of adovetailedsleeve in which is slidably received an extensible auxiliarydovetailed calibrated bar;

56. .A laterally projecting lug 57 of substantial length projects fromone side flange of the arm 55, and secured on the end of the lug 57 isan upstanding stud 58 which extends slidably through the arcuate trackslot 59 formed; in the track member 50. A wing nut 60 is threaded on theupstanding stud 58 to lock the arm 55 in an angular- 1y adjustedpositionon the calibrated arcuate track 50. Since the track member 50 is ofsubstantially greater length than one hundred and eighty degrees, asabove explanned, the arm 55may be locked in a position whichis at leastperpendicular to the main arm 12, since sufficient additional lengthexists in the arcuate track, member 50 to allow the arm 57 tobe disposedat the proper position for clamping the member 55 to the track 50 inperpendic-i ular relationship to the main bar member 12. The lug 57 isof substantial length toallow the angle markings on the arcuate trackmember 50 to be easily, viewed Without interference from the clampingnut 60. p v

As above explained, the auxiliary calibrated arm :55 is A 55 will belocked at a ninety degree position .on the areaate track member and'the'main arm 12 will be held plumb, in accordance with the showing ofthe bubble level 30. Desired measurements maythen be made" alongthe maincalibrated bar member 12'" with its extended calibrated portions.

t Themembe'rs 12 andltl to 21 are calibrated so that; when the device isemployed to measure upwardly from 1 a bench mark as above described, thescale numerals on the left sides of'said members ascend upwardly invalue, so that heights above the bench mark may be read directly. Thescale numerals at the right sides ofmembers 12 and 18 to 21 increase invalue downwardly.

As'will be readily apparent, the clevice may be employed as an ordinarylevel when all the slide elements thereof are in retracted positions. 7The groove 13 is de- Signed to receive the arm and to, house same. Thus,the

. device is foldable to a very compact volume, enabling it to beemployed asa standard level.

" The device is particularly useful ingsheet metal work,

wherein it is otten necessary to take gross dimensions between ductfittings, where ducts are located at differ- V ent planes or: levels Thesmall pin elements '62, 63

provided with a dovetailed groove and the extension elemerit 56 isformed with 'adovetailed rib slidably engaged in said groove. g a

As shown in'FlGURE 2, the innermost extensible rule elements 21 and 24are provided at their ends with longitudinally projecting feeler pins 62and 63, said feeler pins being of sufiicient length so they may beeasily grasped when it is desired to extend the slidable calibrateddovetailed rule members. The innermost slidable element 56 of theauxiliarytarm 55 is likewise provided at its outer end with a pinelement 64- of sufiicient length to allow same to be grasped when it isdesired to extend the calibrated slidable member 56 relative to the mainportion of the arm 55.

As shown in FIGURES 8 and 9, trammel members may be mounted on the endportions of the innermost extensible elements of therule; for example,on the end portion of the extensible element 24, as illustrated inFIGURES 8 and 9, the trarnmel members 70 being-provided with scribingpoints 71. Each trammel member 70 comprises a main, generallyrectangular sleeve portion 72 through which the associated ruler arm isreceivable,

tighened the block 74 exerts blocking force on the mem-- ber 24, rigidlysecuring the trammel member 70 at a desired location on the calibratedmember 24-. Obviously, tranimel members 7% may be provided ontherespective oppositely extensible end portions of the rule so that theI device may be employed to define a desired radius between the trammelpoints 71 at the opposite end portions of the rule. provided for each ofthe innermost extensible elements 21 and 24.

The rule may be designed so that it will open to a relatively largelength, for example, a length of sixteen feet.

70 Ordinarily, a trammelmember 70- will be p cred may be inserted intothe corner of: a duct to sup- 4 port theadjacentportion of the rulewhile a desired.

dimension is'read, p i p I Aswill bereadily apparent, the device may beem.- ployedto lay out angles ,with large side, dimensions, employing thepivoted arm 55 and the calibrated arcuate track rnernber Sti to set upthe angles. As above mentioned thepin members 62, 63 and 64 are employedas means for grasping and extending the inner calibratedslidableportions of the rule.

The calibrationson the yarious scctions of the rule 4 may be in anydesired fractions of inches, for example, may be in. quarterinchintervals, except for the first inch of the scale which may be insixteenths. The calibrations should be countersunk below the surface ofthe rule elements to prevent them from being worn off.

While acertain specific embodiment of an improved combination extensionrule and protractor has been disclosed in the foregoing description, itwill be understood that various modifications within the spirit ofthe'inven- Therefore it tion may occur to'those' skilled in the art. isintended that no limitations be placed on the inven-. tion except, asdefined by the scope of the appended claims. V i What is claimed is: 1.In an extension rule of the type comprisinga main elongated calibratedbar member formed with a longitudinal dovetailed groove and an auxiliaryelongated calibrated bar member havinga dovetailed rib slidably,engaging in'said dovetailed groove, whereby the auxiliary. calibratedbarmember'may be extended relative to the.

main bar member, the improvement comprisinga resilient hook membersecured to and extending around the end of the main bar member, saidhook member comprising a" resilient shank portion and a'reverselyextending arm', defining a detent element spaced from and extendingparallel to'said shank portion, said main bar being provided withrecessmeans adapted to receive said reversely extending arm, said armnormally projecting outwardly from. said recess means parallel'to saidmain. bar member,.said auxiliary bar member being formed with agenerally triangular recess adapted'toreceive saidarm when the auxiliarybar memberis in extended position,

said'triangular recess comprising a transverse abutment,

wall'arranged perpendicularly 'to the auxiliary bar member and a slopingcamming wall, arranged to carnmingly,

engage'with said arm to move said arm into said recess means when theauxiliary bar member is retracted.

2. An extension rule comprising a main elongated calibrated bar memberformed with a longitudinal dovetailed groove, an auxiliary elongatedcalibrated bar member having a dovetailed rib slidably engaged in saiddovetailed groove, whereby the auxiliary calibrated bar member may beextended relative to the main bar member, a resilient liook membersecured to and extending around the end of the main barmember', saidhook ber comprising a resilient shank portion and a r'eversely extendingarm defining a detent element spaced from and extending parallel to saidshank portion, said main bar member being provided with recess meansadapted to receive s aid reversely extending arm, said arm normallyprojecting outwardly from said recess means parallel to said main barmember, said auxiliary bar member being formed with a generallytriangular recess adapted to receive said arm when the auxiliary barmember is in extended position, said triangular recess comprising atransverse abutment wall arranged perpendicular to the auxiliary barmember and a sloping camming wall arranged to cammingly engage with saidarm to move said arm into said recess means when the auxiliary barmember is retracted, an arcuate track member disposed at one end of saidmain bar member and having a radius located in the same plane as saidmain bar member, said arcuate track member subtending an angle ofsubstantially more than one-hundred and eighty degrees, a radial armrigidly connecting one end of the arcuate track member to the end ofsaid main bar member and being disposed at the obtuse angle to said mainbar member, the other end of the arcuate track member being rigidlyconnected to the main bar member, a calibrated elongated arm pivoted tosaid main bar member centrally of said arcuate track member, a lug ofsubstantial length rigidly connected to and projecting from saidcalibrated elongated arm, and means slidably connecting the end of saidlug to said arcuate track member.

3. An extension rule comprising a main elongated calibrated bar memberformed with a longitudinal dovetailed groove, an auxiliary elongatedcalibrated bar member having a dovetailed rib slidably engaging in saiddovetailed groove, whereby the auxiliary calibrated bar member may beextended relative to the main bar member, a resilient hook membersecured to and extending around the end of the main bar member, saidhook member comprising a resilient shank portion and a reverselyextending arm defining a detent element spaced from and extendingparallel to said shank portion, said main bar member being provided withrecess means adapted to receive said reversely extending arm, said armnormally projecting outwardly from said recess means parallel to saidmain bar member, said auxiliary bar member being formed with a generallytriangular recess adapted to receive said arm when the auxiliary barmember is in extended position, said triangular recess comprising atransverse abutment wall arranged perpendicular to the auxiliary barmember and a sloping camming wall arranged to cammingly engage with saidarm to move said arm into said recess means when the auxiliary barmember is retracted, an arcuate track member disposed at one end of saidmain bar member and having a radius located in the same plane as saidmain bar member, said arcuate track member subtending an angle ofsubstantially more than one-hundred and eighty degrees, a radial armrigidly connecting one end of the arcuate track member to the end ofsaid main bar member and being disposed at an obtuse angle to said mainbar member, the other end of the arcuate track member being rigidlyconnected to the main bar member, a calibrated elongated arm pivoted tosaid main bar member centrally of said arcuate track member, a lug ofsubstantial length rigidly connected to and projecting from saidcalibrated elongated arm, and means slidably connecting the end of saidlug to said arcuate track member, said main bar member being formed witha longitudinal groove of sufiicient size to at times receive saidcalibrated elongated arm.

4.- An extension rule comprising a main elongated calibrated bar memberformed with a longitudinal dovetailed groove, an auxiliary elongatedcalibrated bar member having a dovetailed rib slidably engaging in saiddovetailed groove, whereby the auxiliary calibrated bar member may beextended relative to the main bar member,

a resilient hook member secured to and extending around the end of themain bar member, said hook member comprising a resilient shank portionand a reversely extending arm defining a detent element spaced from andextending parallel to said shank portion, said main bar member beingprovided with recess means adapted to receive said reversely extendingarm, said arm normally projecting outwardly from said recess meansparallel to said main bar member, said auxiliary bar member being formedwith a generally triangular recess adapted to receive said arm when theauxiliary bar member is in extended position, said triangular recesscom-prising a transverse abutment Wall arranged perpendicular to theauxiliary bar member and a sloping camming wall arranged to camminglyengage with said arm to move said arm into said recess means when theauxiliary bar member is retracted, an arcuate track member disposed atone end of said main bar member and having a radius located in the sameplane of said main bar member, said arcuate track member subtending anangle of substantially more than onehundred and eighty degrees, a radialarm rigidly connecting one end of the arcuate track member to the end ofsaid main bar member and being disposed at an obtuse angle to said mainbar member, the other end of the arcuate track member being rigidlyconnected to the main bar member, a calibrated elongated arm pivoted tosaid main bar member centrally of said arcuate track member, a lug ofsubstantial length rigidly connected to and projecting from saidcalibrated elongated arm, means slidably connecting the end of said lugto said arcuate track member, said main bar member being formed with alongitudinal groove of sufiicient size to at times receive saidcalibrated elongated arm, said calibrated arm being of dovetailed crosssection, and an auxiliary calibrated arm having a dovetailed ribslidably engaged in said calibrated elongated arm.

5. The structure of claim 4, and respective feeler pins secured on theend of said auxiliary calibrated bar member and on the end of saidauxiliary calibrated arm.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS149,532 Sherwin Apr. 7, 1874 1,015,877 Du Mouchel Jan. 30, 19121,878,119 Dowd Sept. 20, 1932 2,842,850 Anderson July 15, 1958 FOREIGNPATENTS 56,271 Austria Nov. 11, 1912

